Hands-on science lessons
Biodiversity, Adaptations, Conservation
Registrations are now being accepted for sessions beginning in September.
Objective: Through hands-on learning of Life Sciences, we will spark a natural curiosity for young minds to grow a love and appreciation of science while studying the diversity of life on Earth.
Each session will include a lesson and experiments or projects to reinforce the subject matter.
Topics for this semester include:
- Classification
- Insects and invertebrates
- Fish
- Amphibians
- Birds
- Reptiles
- Mammals
Course details
Teacher: Mrs. Joan Batson
Location: Acorn Academy, 2470 Nicholson Road, Sewickley, PA
Dates: September 19, 2025–May 8, 2026
Class schedule: Fridays, 9:05–11:25AM and 12:30–2:30PM
Program fee: $150 per session (5 sessions total)
Class size: Limited to 15 students
Students: Children 4–5 years old
Course registration: Contact Wendy Ruby, mrsruby [at] acornacademypgh [dot] com
Course schedule
Week # – date – topic
SESSION #1
Week 01 – 09/19 – Classification: types of animals, kingdoms, species
Week 02 – 09/26 – Insects: invertebrates
Week 03 – 10/03 – Fish: lungs, gills
Week 04 – 10/10 – Amphibians: tadpoles, metamorphosis
Week 05 – 10/17 – Reptiles: life on land
SESSION #2
Week 06 – 11/14– Birds: flight
Week 07 – 11/21 – Mammals: live birth
Week 08 – 12/05 – Ecosystems: habitats, food chains
Week 09 – 12/12 – Animal adaptations: animal superlatives
Week 10 – 01/09 – Animal defense: coloration, locomotion, toxins
SESSION #3
Week 11 – 01/16 – Nocturnal: bats, owls
Week 12 – 01/23 – Animal communication: voice, stance, color
Week 13 – 01/30 – Desert ecosystem: climate, adaptations
Week 14 – 02/06 – Rainforest ecosystem: canopy, endangered
Week 15 – 02/20 – Arctic ecosystem: tundra, adaptations
SESSION #4
Week 16 – 02/27 – Ocean ecosystem: whales, oceanic zones
Week 17 – 03/06 – Sharks: Great White, Hammerhead
Week 18 – 03/13 – Snakes: locomotion, venom
Week 19 – 03/20 – Turtles: turtles, tortoises, terrapins
Week 20 – 03/27 – Crocodilia: crocodiles, alligators, caimens, gavials
SESSION #5
Week 21 – 04/10 – Spiders: arthropods, arachnids
Week 22 – 04/17 – Plants: germination, importance
Week 23 – 04/24 – Humans: organ systems
Week 24 – 05/01 – Geology: rocks, minerals
Week 25 – 05/08– Weather
